Inking cartridge



1969 J.--W. DODSWORTH ET AL 3,460,665

INKING CARTRIDGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 13, 1967 INVENTORS JAMES W. DODS'WORTH ARMIN O. F| SC HER BY ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1969 J, w, o swo 'r ET AL 3,460,665

' INKING CARTRIDGE Filed March 13, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JAMES W. DODSWOR'TH ARM! N O.F'l SCHER ATTORNEY United States Patent U.S. Cl. 197-171 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cartridge for supplying ink to a printing ribbon in devices, such as calculating machines, which employ a ribbon for their printing mechanism. The cartridge, which is quickly and easily assembled prior to use, is formed as a completely contained unit, including an ink absorbent roller, the shaft on which it is journalled, and the cover case surrounding it, so as to be readily insertable into and removable from a machine without any assembly or disassembly of the machine or the cartridge. The ink absorbent roller may be all one color, e.g., black, or may be split, each half of which is a different color, e.g., red and black, as would be used for inking a two color redblack ribbon.

Background of the invention In calculating machines, typewriters and other machines which have a printing mechanism using an ink impregnated printing ribbon, it is very desirable to have a device for coating the ribbon with ink which can be easily assembled before use and readily inserted into and removed from the machine before and after use without difficulty and without extensive dismantling of the machine or the coating device.

Formerly, where means were provided to impregnate a printing ribbon with ink, the means was often placed into the mechanism in a manner such that it was so integrally connected to the machine on which it was being used that it was not readily insertable into or removable therefrom. Often the inking means was in the form of a roller where the shaft on which it was journalled was connected to the machine structure. To insert or remove it, the shaft had to be disconnected from the machine. Since this could not be readily done, the inking means could not be quickly and simply removed and replaced when its ink supply was exhausted.

Another type of inking mechanism was placed in the machine in a manner such that it was completely uncovered and exposed when in use. Becauseit was uncovered when the ink supply became exhausted, it was rather diflicult to remove without coming into contact with its inked surface. This could be a. rather objectionable operation Which might be a substantial drawback to the mechanism. Also, since the ink coated surface was exposed to the interior of the machine while it was heavily coated with ink, it would readily pick up foreign particles which were then imparted to the ribbon, often resulting in improperly printed characters. l

Summary of the invention By way of solving these problems, an inking device is provided for use with a machine which employs an ink impregnated printing ribbon for its printing means. The inking device is in the form of a cartridge which is quickly insertable into and removable from a machine. It comprises an absorbent cylindrical roller, mounted on a shaft within a surrounding container. The container is formed by two interfitting halves having extensions which con- 3,460,665 Patented Aug. 12, 1969 nect to join the halves to form a rigid readily assemblable unit. These extensions, besides serving to interconnect the halves also form a post on which the roller is journalled. By this construction, the roller and the post are completely enclosed within the container so that the cartridge may be easily inserted into and removed from the machine wilhout disassembly of the machine or cartridge. The container also serves to prevent foreign particles from contacting the surface of the roller, and further, simplifies the removal of a spent cartridge in that an operator of a machine can grasp the container for removing the cartridge and thereby need not contact the surface of the roller.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the cartridge of the invention taken along lines 1-1 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cartridge of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the drive means of a typical machine employing the cartridge of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of part of the machine of FIG. 3.

Description of the preferred embodiment of the invention The inking cartridge of the invention as shown in the drawings is employed with any device which has a printing mechanism that uses a printing ribbon in conjunction with its printing mechanism, such as a calculator, type- Writer or adding machine. The printing ribbon will generally be of a type, such as cloth, which is mounted for repeated use and must be reinked periodically, though a disposable ribbon could be used where the ribbon itself is not initially inked, and it is desired to ink the ribbon after it is inserted into the machine. Continuous belt type ribbons, as for example that shown in FIG. 4, as Well as discontinuous ribbons which are wound upon spools and unrolled, such as commonly found in typewriters, are both readily adaptable with the cartridge of the invention. Some machines that have mechanisms that will readily adapt to the use of that invention have been mentioned, but it will be seen from the following description that there are many other types of machines which can employ the inking cartridge of our invention.

The cartridge includes a cylindrical hollow container 1 which is constructed of two interconnecting members 2 and 3, which are as shown in the drawings constructed of a plastic material, but it will be appreciated that they could also be constructed of any other material which is of suitable strength. Member 2, which is the lower member as shown in FIG. 1, is constructed so as to provide a circular flat end wall 4 of the container, and by means of extension 5, which is perpendicular to end wall 4 and is positioned around the circumference thereof, to provide part of the side wall 7 of the complete container. Extension 5 includes circumferential lip 6 proximate the outer surface of side wall 7 which fits into a related opening 10 in member 3, the other half of the container.

Member 2 further has an interlocking securing member or cylindrical post 14 which extends perpendicularly from its inner surface 12, and coaxial therewith, toward member 3 to fit into a mating extension on member 3 to interconnect members 2 and 3, as will subsequently be discussed.

Post 14 includes uniform diameter section 16 which is most proximate member 2, and is of the widest diameter. The surface 17 of this section 16 is a smooth bearing sur face on which the ink impregnated roller 20, as hereinafter described is mounted. Another section of post 14 and the one furthest from wall 4 is section 18, which is of a uniform but smaller diameter than section 16, and serves to fit into a mating section of member 3, as described hereinafter. The remaining section of post 14 is section 22, which is of a diameter intermediate that of sections 14 and 18, and is located therebetween. Because of the dif ference in diameter between sections 18 and 22 which are both of uniform diameter, a shoulder surface' 24 is formed therebetween. The surface serves to properly align post 14 within its mating part on member 3 as they are being connected.

Post 14 is an integral part of member 2, but it will be appreciated that it may, if desired, be a separate member which is secured to member 2. Especially significant about the construction of post 14 is that it easily connects to its mating part to connect the two halves of the container and that it is completely contained within hollow container 1, to permit easy insertion and removal of the cartridge without having to disconnect or connect the post from the machine structure.

The other section of the container, member 3, includes circular end wall 28, as shown in FIG. 1, most of circumferential side wall 7 (the remainder of the side wall being provided by member 2, as aforementioned) and a tubular projecting post or securing member 30 which mates with post 14 to secure sections 2 and 3 together to form the complete container. Post 30 extends perpendicularly from the center of the inner surface 34 of wall 28 toward member 2. The construction of this post is such that circular opening 32 in its center is coaxial with post 14 and of substantially the same diameter as section 18 of post 14, so that when section 18 of post 14 is inserted into opening 32 and the two parts pressed together a secure frictional press fit connection is formed therebetween to firmly hold members 2 and 3 together. Thus it will be appreciated that the two halves of the container (members 2 and 3) can be quickly connected to form a rigid container.

As shown in the drawings, post 30 terminates in a flat end surface 36 which is parallel to the end walls of the container. This surface abuts up against shoulder surface 24 of post 14 so that when post 14 is inserted into opening 32, it will contact surface 24 to stop the travel of the post 14 into post 30 and properly align members 2 and 3 as they are secured together.

Outer surface 38 of post 30 is of the same configuration and circumference as surface 17 of post 14 so that it functions as a bearing surface in the same manner as surface 17 to provide a mounting means on which the inking roller 20 is journalled.

An opening in wall 28 which is an extension of opening 32 in post 30 is provided so that when posts 14 and 30 are interconnected, the surface area of contact between section 18 of post 14 and inner surface 33 of post 30 is increased for providing a better frictional hold between the posts.

Side wall 8 ofmember 3, as aforementioned, contains a circumferential groove proximate its outer surface 13 into which lip 6 of member 2 fits to hold members 2 and 3 together in the proper position as they are being connected together.

Further, in the side wall 8 of member 3, an opening 40 is provided for the inking ribbon 41 to come into contact with inking roller (as shown by dot-dash lines in FIG. 2), and as described hereinafter. The sides 42 of opening 40 in the side walls of the container are beveled at an angle which is approximately the same as the angle at which the inking ribbon passes through opening 40 so that the side walls of the container will not interfere with the ribbon as it contacts the inking roller 20.

For connecting the cartridge to the machine, member 3 has projections 44 which are elongated rectangular parallel members extending from outer surface 45 of member 3 on each side of opening 32. These projections have lugs 48 extending perpendicularly from their outer surface 50 in a direction away from opening 32. The lugs 48, which are shown as being four in number (two on each projection), are parallel to surface 45 of wall 28 so as to form channels 52 therebetween. These channels serve to hold the cartridge in place as'described hereinbelow.

In connecting the cartridge to a machine, projections 44 slide into corresponding parallel Slots 56 formed in a plate 58 which plate holds the cartridge to the machine (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4). When the projections are slid into slots 56, the edge of plate 58 fits into openings 52 formed between lugs 48 and surface 45 to frictionally hold the cartridge in the machine. To further aid in holding the cartridge, a resilient detent 62 is provided on the end of tongue 63 which is formed in plate 58 between slots 56. The detent fits into groove 60, formed in wall 28 of member 3, and due to the resiliency of the detent it biases lugs 48 against plate 58 to hold the cartridge in place. Thus, since only the detent and projections 44, including lugs 48, hold the cartridge in place, it may be quickly and easily removed and replaced.

It will be appreciated that the aforementioned means for securing the inking cartridge to the machine is but one of many that may be provided, as long as they provide for quick insertion into and removal of the cartridge from a machine.

Inking roller 17, which is positioned within the hollow container formed by members 2 and 3, is cylindrical in form and has an axial hole in the center thereof for rapidly positioning it centrally within the container on the member formed by the interconnection of posts 14 and 30. The roller is constructed of a material which absorbs and holds a large quantity of ink, such as felt, a felt like material, or a spongy microporous plastic material. The important aspect of the material is that it be one which readily absorbs and maintains a quantity of ink, and is able to place a thin coating of the ink on the printing ribbon as the ribbon comes into contact therewith.

A cylindrical bushing 64 of suitable smooth bearing material such as steel is secured in central aperture 65 of the inking roller. It provides a firm structural support for the roller and substantially reduces the friction between the inking roller and the support member 15 on which the roller is mounted.

It will be appreciated that the bushing 64 may be eliminated if the inner surface 65 of the inking roller is such that it forms a smooth bearing surface without the necessity of a separate bushing.

Space 66 is provided between the top, bottom and outer surface of inking roller 20 and the inner surface of container 1 so that free rotation of roller 20 is provided.

In FIG. 3 is shown part of the mechanism of a reciprocatory calculating machine employing the cartridge of our invention. It will be appreciated that the machine illustrated is but one of many that can be used with the cartridge described herein. In reciprocatory calculating machines, such as the one illustrated, a reversible motor is used which drives the mechanism in one direction during the forward part of the cycle and in the opposite direction during the return part of the cycle. In FIG. 3, the output shaft of the reversible motor, shaft 72, drives continuous belt 74 in an alternatively clockwise and counterclockwise direction by means of pulley 70, which is connected to the shaft. The belt in turn rotates larger pulley 76 and thereby gear 78 which is on the same shaftas pulley 76. Rotation of gear 78 causes rotation of gear 80 which is intermeshed therewith. The latter, gear 80, is connected to shaft 82 which shaft drives the racks and other associated registering mechanisms of the calculating machine. Shaft 82 also has connected thereon pulley 84 which drives intermediate pulley 86 by means of belt 88. The latter pulley also has connected thereto continuous belt 89 to drive pulley 90, the pulley that is connected to the shaft 94 that drives the printing ribbon. The connection between shaft 94 and the pulley is by means of a one way clutch mechanism, which clutch mechanism is embodied in spring 96. When pulley 90 is rotated in a clockwise direction (FIG. 4) the spring will tighten around shaft 94 so that the shaft will rotate in the same direction as the pulley, whereas when pulley 90 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the spring will slip an shaft 94 will remain stationary.

Roller 100 connected on the top of shaft 94 drives the printing ribbon in its course through the machine mechanism. The other supports for the ribbon in its travel are rollers 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 107 which act together with roller 100 to properly align and position the ribbon in the machine. Because of the aforementioned clutch mechanism associated with pulley 90, when that pulley is rotated in a clockwise direction, roller 100 is also rotated in the same clockwise direction and thereby the inking ribbon 41 moves in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 4, but when shaft 94 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the clutch mechanism slips and the pulley and thereby the printing ribbon remains stationary. In this manner, in the machine illustrated, the inking ribbon moves during a particular part of each cycle of the calculating machine and is stationary during the remaining part of a cycle.

The printing mechanism associated with the calculating machine illustrated includes type members 110 and rotatable platen 112. As shown in FIG. 4, the ribbon is positioned between the type members and the platen so that when the type members are impressed against the ribbon and a sheet of paper or other similar material is placed against the platen the impression of the faces of the type members will be placed on the paper.

Suitable mechanism is provided such as spring means 115 to provide the tension to printing ribbon 41 so that it remains properly taut during its travel through the machine mechanism. The spring means consists of a flat resilient arm 117 connected to pulleys 106 and 107 and to a support 118 which is connected to the machine framing 120. Arm 117 provides sufiicient pressure on the pulleys so that as the ribbon comes into contact with the inking roller, it applies a slight pressure thereon to re: ceive a coating of ink from the roller and at the same time to rotate the roller so that all areas of the roller are employed in the inking operation. The tension on the ribbon also prevents the ribbon from rubbing against the paper and ruining the impressed image.

After the ink has been exhausted in the roller, the cartridge is quickly removed as a unit without the operator having to dismantle any parts of the cartridge or the machine. This is because the cover container and the entire mechanism for the inking cartridge including the shaft on which the inking roller is journalled are completely housed within the container. The container also serves the purpose as aforementioned of protecting the inking roller from dust and other foreign particles and further permits removal of the cartridge without the operator having to contact the inking surface of the roller. The latter avoids an objectionable procedure whereby the operator might come into contact with the ink surface of the roller in removing it.

In another configuration, the ink roller may be split into upper and lower sections, each of which would be provided with a different color ink, i.e., red and black, as would be used in the case of a two color (red-black) ribbon. A suitable insulating material is provided between these sections, such as a thin plastic disc made of a nonink absorbing material. The remaining construction of the cartridge and its operation is the same as previously described.

It is now apparent that the invention attains the objects set forth. Apparatus embodying the invention is sturdy in construction and is well adapted for use in the machines described.

Specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated but the invention is not limited thereto, since changes and modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

We claim: 1. For use in a device having printing mechanism and a printing ribbon, an inking cartridge for inking said ribbon comprising:

wall means defining a hollow container including opposed end walls, and side wall means secured to and extending from one of said end walls to the other;

means rigidly securing said end walls and said side wall together as one rigid unit interconnecting said end walls;

an absorbent roller adapted to be impregnated with ink;

means defining an opening in said container through which said ribbon is adapted to contact said roller to receive ink therefrom;

means mounting said roller for rotational movement relative to said container;

said mounting means being disposed within said container and comprising at least a portion of said securing means.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

said mounting means comprises at least one post secured to and extending inwardly from one of said end walls.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

said securing means comprises:

first and second cooperable interengaging securing members respectively extending inwardly toward one another from said opposed end walls.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein:

one of said securing members has an opening which receives said other securing member.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein:

said other securing member is press fitted into the opening of said one securing member.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

said securing means comprises two cooperable interengaging posts extending inwardly toward one another from said respective opposed end walls.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein:

said mounting means comprises at least a portion of both of said posts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 11,097 7/ 1890 Ray 197-175 1,086,852 2/1914 Post 197-171 1,276,263 8/1918 Phelan et al l97171XR 1,846,498 2/ 1932 Stephenson 197-171 2,102,446 12/1937 Wallace 197-175 XR 2,104,396 1/1938 Hoppenstand 197-171 2,475,336 7/1949 Petz 197-171XR 2,667,257 1/ 1954 Hurtado 197-175 2,760,464 8/ 1956 Roggenburger 197-151XR 3,283,886 11/ 1966 Addis et a1. 206-52 3,295,655 I/ 1967 Landgraf 197--175 EDGAR S. BURR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

